ILLINI KEY: Defend, rebound and force Penn State into a low-scoring, defensive game.

NITTANY LIONS KEY: Make this a high-scoring and fast-paced game, controlled by their guards.

NOTEWORTHY: Members of the 1988-89 Illinois basketball team, known as the Flyin’ Illini, will be honored at halftime. This marks the 25th anniversary of the team that finished with a then-school-record 31 victories and made the Final Four. … Champaign Mayor Don Gerard officially named Jan. 4 as Flyin’ Illini Day. Staff members and team managers from that team will be honored during timeouts, and the coaches and players will be recognized at intermission. … Illinois is 25-13 all-time in the series, with a 12-5 advantage in Champaign. …. Penn State is on pace to have the highest scoring average in program history. … Illinois is 8-0 at home this season.

QUOTABLE: “I remember that team vividly; they were fun to watch.” — Illinois coach John Groce on the Flyin’ Illini